Due to a lapse in appropriations, the majority of USGS websites may not be up to date and may not reflect current conditions. Websites displaying real-time data, such as Earthquake and Water and information needed for public health and safety will be updated with limited support. Additionally, USGS will not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.  For more information, please see www.doi.gov/shutdown

News

Science Snippets

Want some fun facts and interesting snippets of science? Then you came to the right place.

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Globe Christmas ornament
December 18, 2018

The holidays are always a busy and sometimes stressful time of year: food to cook, houses to clean, trips to plan, gifts to buy, family to coordinate, the list goes on. So we completely understand that editing data for The National Map Corps might not be high on your list of priorities these days. --*Sigh*

Picture of a citizen science volunteer dressed as a ghost
October 31, 2018

The National Map Corps encourages and leverages volunteer citizen scientists to update structure data to The National Map. To reward, recognize and motivate these participants, the program awards “virtual” badges for increasing levels of edits and submission.

Geologic map of the US
October 19, 2018

In celebration of Earth Science Week and Geologic Map Day, the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program is highlighting several exciting ongoing and upcoming geoscience-related activities:

Best Student Geologic Map Competition winners from 2017 posing with award winning entry.
August 7, 2018

The USGS Announces Final Call for Abstracts: Best Student Geological Map Competition at GSA Indianapolis.

mycobiome (fungal community)
August 2, 2018

You’ve heard of tiny houses, introducing (really) tiny communities - microbiomes!

USGS scientists warm up in the sun as the scientific expedition moves downstream to the next sample location.
June 25, 2018

When you think of a day in the life of a scientist, adventure may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, many scientists find themselves in amazing locations where collecting data is physically challenging.

White sucker (Catostomus commersonii)
June 20, 2018

This EarthWord tells you who and what you are REALLY…

Squadron of Biplane Spectators badge from The National Map Corps.
June 19, 2018

A prolific map editor and longtime volunteer with The National Map Corps has reached the top program award.

Overlook at Coopers Rock State Forest
May 14, 2018

Program coordinators are now accepting applications for the 2018 Appalachian Geoscience GeoCamp.

An ebony jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) perched on a blade of grass in the foreground with a flowing stream in the background
May 1, 2018

A trio of recently released studies shows how fish, macroinvertebrates, and algae are affected by chemical and physical stressors

Researchers extracting a peat core from a Kenai Peninsula peatland
March 1, 2018

On a humid August morning in south-central Alaska, a group of scientists hiked for four miles along a horse trail armed with rifles and an order to make as much noise as possible.

Waterbirds in the Chesapeake Bay
March 1, 2018

Scientists investigate the impacts of shoreline armoring